Chromophobia

The other reviews here leave me and 76 friends I watched this with dumbstruck.

I have never witnessed such a self important film in my life, truly mind numbing and empty. I was surprised about 45 minutes in after the vast array of credible actors in the film and couldn't for the life of me figure out why they had agreed to perform after reading such a terrible script, devoid of narrative, substance and style. Then it became obvious when you see Ralph Fiennes' sister wrote and directed it then you realise she woke up one day and wanted to be a film maker, tomorrow she probably wants to open a boutique in Upper Street, the next day raise cattle to sell organic meat. I expect she has the money and free time to take anything up on a whim, hence the stars are her family and friends, it is the only explanation as to why they appeared in this film.

It is a pompous work of utter self indulgence. The attempt to weave characters together was so flawed, if you want to see this when it works, see Robert Altman's Short Cuts. if you want to see a film with the cream of British talent, see anything by Mike Leigh.

There is no redeeming aspect of this film

I had the unique chance of watching this movie at it's midnight premiere at Cannes, and this engaging story made the evening even more complete. Chromophobia is a depiction of how several upper-class Brits have become so obsessed with material things and their careers that they have become completely detached from the bare necessities: love, professional integrity, friendship and even their own children. Each of the characters will betray one of those ideals, and they will see their lives and relationships come crashing down. But while most of the movie is alienating, depressing and leaves you almost begging for some relief (it is there, you will laugh occasionally), in the end there is redemption: not in a glorious comeback or victory, but in the simple dignity of picking up the pieces and carrying on with a brave face. The train station scene is especially impressive, showing the sudden determination and loyalty in the main characters when faced with the ruin of their lives. Both chilling and warming: this is one solid piece of British drama.

So far only seen at Cambridge /Oxford special showings.

A visually distinctive, intelligent, beautifully scripted, classy contemporary drama.

Marcus, a successful lawyer (Damian Lewis) is the son of a High Court Judge (Ian Holm) now married to a dog-&-garden-obsessed - though emotionally repressed wife, (Harriet Walter). Gloria - an immigrant, single mum and Hep C suffering sex worker is played by Penelope Cruz - who finds herself aggressively resisting the tentative aid of a fragile social services worker, (Rhys Ifans). Marcus's wife, Iona (Kristin Scott Thomas) is a privileged, sexually frustrated, shoppaholic mother who becomes perturbed by her young son's relationship with his godfather, (Ralph Fiennes). At work, Marcus unwittingly discovers a momentous secret - ripe for exploitation by his old friend Trent (Ben Chaplin), a struggling investigative journalist, desperately in need of a break.

The stories interweave with others and the film explores the psychology, dynamics and value systems of modern city life. Each character is forced to confront their lives and their disengaged flawed lives they inhabit.

A brilliant cast all acting their socks off, the movie is a thought provoking visual feast. This is a thinking, feeling emotional/ psychological film. Gripping and sumptuous. It is a contemporary and challenging.

It is a shame that critics have buried alive this wonderful film when at the same time they praise so many repetitive, stereotypical productions. It is a brave, innovative movie with great acting, intelligent, witty plot set in a contemporary setting and fabulous stylish photography. It features controversial themes of today (juvenile crime, alienation, corruption) and realistic, multi-dimensional characters that evolve and grow as the film progresses. Moreover, despite its multiple thread storyline, the plot has an Aristotelian nearly perfect structure that so many contemporary films lack. It is puzzling that it took so long for this film to be released (and it is a very limited release), and even more puzzling that it has been welcomed with such animosity by the professional film critics. It just shows that one cannot trust them when choosing which film to go and see.

I totally disagree with the negative comments I have read about the film Chromophobia. I went to see the film with no preconceptions at all and I came away feeling I had had a thoroughly entertaining evening. The film was fairly bleak in parts but I came away feeling positive and uplifted.

The characters were complex and the script kept them totally believable. There was contrast in the subject matter and storyline as well as in way it was filmed. I think there were some highly ambitious ideas explored in the movie.

The pace was perfectly pitched and hit the emotional level it was trying to achieve. The cinematography was superb and the music pulled the whole movie together. I felt the film was not a showcase for famous actors but rather a way to use their talent in a very modest way. The casting was spot on and created the opportunity to give the actors some challenging work.